FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS FETA CHEESE?
Feta is a white, brined cheese traditionally made with sheep’s milk or a combination of at least 70% sheep’s milk and less than 30% goat’s milk. It is one of the oldest and most well-known cheese styles in the world, with origins that date back to ancient times. Traditional Feta is produced in Greece and has a salty, tangy, flavor and a firm, yet creamy texture that lends itself well to crumbling.
WHAT IS "PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN" (PDO)?
In 2002, the European Union granted Greece Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for Feta. PDO upholds quality standards of traditional, regional foods and protects their integrity in the marketplace. This means that any cheese labeled “Feta” in the EU must meet certain production requirements. It isn’t permissible to label a non-Greek Feta-style cheese as “Feta” in the European Union and countries that have agreed to honor PDO. You’ll often see the term “white cheese” instead. All PDO Feta cheese has the red and yellow seal on the packaging so you know it is authentic.
HOW IS FETA CHEESE MADE?
After the sheep’s milk is pasteurized, lactic acid starter cultures are added to separate the whey from the curd, called casein. Then rennet is added to set the casein. Once this process is complete, the curd is shaped by draining the whey and placing the curd in molds for 24 hours. Once the curd is firm, it is cut into cubes, salted and placed in wooden barrels or metal containers for up to three days. Next, the blocks of cheese are placed in a salted solution and aged from two to twelve months in barrels or tins. Finally, when the cheese is ready to be distributed to consumers, it is packaged in a brine solution to preserve freshness.
IS ARISTAEUS FETA CHEESE VEGETARIAN?
Yes, our Feta cheese is considered vegetarian.
HOW LONG CAN I KEEP FETA CHEESE ONCE IT IS OPENED?
Our recommendation is to wrap opened cheese tightly in a plastic Ziploc type bag, and it should keep for about 5 days in the refrigerator. However, our 1.5 oz. and 5.3 oz. package sizes are perfectly sized to be eaten immediately once opened, without any leftovers!
CAN I FREEZE ARISTAEUS FETA CHEESE?
We do not recommend that you freeze our Feta cheese. It can alter the appearance and texture and possibly the taste after it has been thawed. Our Aristaeus Feta cheese has a six month shelf life from when it is packaged.
IS ARISTAEUS FETA CHEESE KOSHER?
Yes, our Feta cheese is Kosher certified. It is actually one of the few available Kosher Feta cheese in the USA! Look for the symbol on our packaging.
IS THE MILK USED FOR ARISTAEUS FETA CHEESE PASTEURIZED?
Yes, the sheep's milk used to make our Feta cheese is pasteurized.
DOES ARISTAEUS FETA CHEESE HAVE ANY RISK FOR CROSS-CONTAMINATION WITH COW'S MILK?
There is no risk whatsoever of contamination with cow's milk, as we use only sheep and goat's milk in our facility.
WHERE IS ARISTAEUS FETA CHEESE MADE?
Our Aristaeus Feta cheese is produced in the Thessaly Region of Greece.
WHAT TYPE OF RENNET IS USED IN YOUR FETA CHEESE?
Our Aristaeus Feta cheese is made with microbial rennet.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about our Aristaeus Feta cheese.